He said that included “elite motor vehicles for motor sports… and road bikes”.

“They’re keen to manufacture and they saw this as an opportunity, I understand, to purchase some equipment from General Motors Holden from a site that’s now closed down,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“What Mr Gupta is realising, like the rest of the world, is that electric vehicles … are the way of the future.”

Car production at the Holden plant ceased in October.

Last month, Melbourne-based developer Pelligra Group was revealed as the buyer of the plant but the site will not be formally handed over until after decommissioning, which is expected to continue until mid-2019.

The Holden plant closed its doors in October 2017 after decades of production. Photo: ABC

Mr Koutsantonis said an electric car industry would provide a significant economic boost for the northern suburbs in the wake of Holden’s departure.

“We think we can manufacture a number of high-tech goods [but] if we could get back into automotive manufacturing, that would be great,” he said.

“Ultimately this is a question between Sanjeev Gupta and General Motors Holden.”